Studies on the Macromolecular and Antigenic Composition of Rabbit Seminal Plasma

Abstract

Ultracentrifugal studies of rabbit seminal plasma (RSP) showed a prominent 1\m=.\85S peak with a 4\m=.\20Sshoulder and minor fast components. Seminal plasma subjected to molecular sieve through Sephadex G-100 showed marked heterogeneity. Using this procedure, five fractions were defined which contained several macromolecular components as revealed by polyacrylamide electrophoresis, agar gel immunoelectrophoresis and immunodiffusion assays.Immunological studies on organ specificity using heteroantisera showed that RSP contains a mixture of genital-tract-specific antigens and several antigens shared with other organs and serum. Using selected autoantisera, the presence was demonstrated of two distinct autoantigens specific to the rabbit accessory glands and additional autoantigens from testis and/or epididymis proving the complex autoantigenic nature of RSP.

Autoreagins and Conventional Autoantibodies to Rabbit Male Accessory Glands Induced by Cryoimmunization

“…This strict organ specificity parallels well with that observed for hemagglutinating autoantibodies (table II). It is well known that RSP shares most antigens with rabbit male accessory glands [9,11]. Therefore, it is not surprising that both types of antibodies stud ied here reacted positively using either source of antigenic material.…”

“…In the studies presented here, the antibody activity was determined us ing RSP as source of rabbit male accessory glands antigens [9] unless oth erwise indicated. Bleedings taken 7 or 10 days after the first cryosurgery, showed a rela tively high incidence of anaphylactic antibodies, since sera from 15 of 31 animals tested showed positive PCA reactions, whereas only 7 serum samples demonstrated hemagglutinating antibodies.…”

“…Samples were centrifuged at 12,300 g X 30 min at 4 °C immediately after collection in order to obtain seminal plasma (RSP). Fractions were obtained by chromatography of RSP through Sephadex G-100 gel column, as described else where [9]. The elution profile and composition of fractions are shown in figure 1.…”

Uterine secretion-like proteins in the seminal plasma of the rabbit

“…Several workers have studied the seminal plasma proteins of the rabbit (Weil & Finkler, 1958;Weil & Rodenburg, 1962;Bennett, 1965;Hunter & Hafs, 1965;Menge & Protzman, 1967 ;Hunter, 1969 ;Hunter & Nornes, 1969 ;Symons & Herbert, 1971 ;Lavon, 1972;Yantorno, Vides & Vottero-Cima, 1972;Zappi, Smith & Shulman, 1972;Beier & Kiihnel, 1974). The various proteins ultimately present in the seminal plasma may originate from the serum or be synthesized by the male genital tract.…”

Detection of Autoimmune Response to Rabbit Epididymal and Seminal Spermatozoa

“…12 rabbits (group I) were immunized intradermally with autologous seminal plasma [14] and 6 rabbits (group II) were subjected to cryosurgery of accessory glands [12] and one testis. The experimental animals were bled before the first treatment and at var ious intervals during the immunization peri od.…”